Tour Description

Tour Description

Sri Lanka is an island of numerous wonders, and this tour packs in so much of this paradise isle into a two week tour that you will be left mesmerised and invigorated by the end. Take in the isle of serendipity on this epic journey, as you visit cultural, historical, natural, and modern attractions. This tour even manages to leave some time for visitors to relax at one of the most attractive beaches in the world.

The journey gets off to a running start in coastal resort town of Negombo, where sea, sun, sand, and some of the best seafood in the world entice and encourage you to see what else this tiny island nation has to offer.

A quick history lesson is around every corner, as you visit the Golden Temple at Dambulla, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ancient capital city of Polonnaruwa, the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, and the Dutch Fort in Galle. Kandy offers a cultural dancing performance that promises to leave you breathless.

What this tour offers more than anything else are nature safaris. Sri Lanka’s national parks offer different, but equally rewarding safari experiences. See Leopards in Yala, Elephants in Minneriya, and Birds in Bundala; other national parks offer some great landscapes and unique wildlife experiences. As an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is also rich in marine life. A whale and dolphin watching expedition in Mirissa is one of the most memorable experiences you will have on this tour.

Sri Lanka’s wildlife is not mutually exclusive with its culture and people. Elephants are a cultural icon of the country, and this tour includes visits to two facilities that take care of these gentle giants – the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, and the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home.

Cosmopolitan or metropolitan – however you describe it, Colombo is a city that has so much to offer anyone. The main financial hub of the island(and former capital) is by far the largest city in the country, and a city / shopping tour is unmissable in this rapidly developing city.

If all this sounds hectic to you, never fear, as Wildlife Tours Sri Lanka has organised this tour with a few days to relax. One day spent in the hill capital of Kandy, and a couple of days lounging on a beach in Unawatuna, where you even have the option of going for a swim, or go snorkelling or diving.

Contact us today to find out more about this tour. It’s an experience that will be etched into your mind for a long time.

 

Tour Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Airport and Negombo

Schedule:

• Meet at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and transfer to Negombo
• Relax at the hotel after a long journey
• Overnight stay in Negombo

Negombo is a town that is located very close to Sri Lanka’s main airport, and is an interesting and attractive place to visit. Called “Little Rome” due to the strong influence of the Catholic Church in the area, Negombo is one of the few cities in Sri Lanka that is predominantly Roman Catholic. The star attractions of Negombo are its beach, the lagoon, and the stupendous bounty of seafood, including crabs, lobsters, and prawns.

Accommodation Options:

Jetwing Blue Hotel – 5 Star

Goldi Sands Hotel – 4 Star

Comparable accommodation options are available (3 Star and above)

Days 2, 3, and 4 – Pinnawala, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Minneriya

Schedule:

Day 2 –

• Transfer to Dambulla via Pinnawala after breakfast
• Visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala
• Visit the Golden Temple in Dambulla
• Overnight stay in hotel of your choice

Day 3 –

• Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress after breakfast
• Relax at the Hotel in the evening
• Overnight stay in hotel

Day 4 –

• Visit Polonnaruwa after breakfast
• Evening Safari at Minneriya National Park
• Overnight stay in hotel

Day 2 takes you to Dambulla via Pinnawala. The town of Pinnawala is home to the world’s first elephant orphanage, an unmissable attraction for any visitor to the island. See these playful giants being fed, bathed, and given some attention. Believed to be the largest elephant herd in captivity, the orphanage contains a mix of baby elephants that have been orphaned due to poacher activity or otherwise, adult elephants that came to the orphanage as calves, and even elephants that were born in the orphanage!

Dambulla’s most famous attraction, the Rock Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is the next stop on day 2. This temple consists of five caves containing over 150 images of the Buddha, dating back to the 1^st Century BC.

Day 3 will include a tour of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a monolith converted into a secure fort by king Kashyapa, who, during his 22-year reign, worried about losing his throne to his older brother, the rightful heir. The highlights of Sigiriya include drawings of “Apsaras” or Celestial Nymphs, of which about 20 remain to this day. It is believed that the entire rock was covered in these drawings, making it the largest single work of art ever created. The mirror wall, where visitors from the 6^th to the 14^th centuries have put down in their own languages the feelings they got when they saw the damsels, is a unique collection of graffiti anywhere in the world. The ruins of the king’s palace at the top of the rock constitute the final destination, where the entire area comes into view, giving you the feeling of being on top of the world.

On day 4, you will visit Polonnaruwa, considered the second established capital city of ancient Sri Lanka. The most famous attraction in this historic city is the Gal Vihara temple complex, where three colossal granite statues of Lord Buddha are carved into the rock. The city was established during the reign of king ParakramabahuI(also known as Parakramabahu the Great), who established massive buildings and an agrarian civilisation.

Minneriya National Park is best known as the site of one of the amazing spectacles of nature, the Elephant Gathering. During the dry season, as many as 400 wild elephants (more than anywhere else in the world at one place) put aside herd differences and territories to congregate to the banks of the Minneriya Reservoir, built in the 3rd century by King Mahasen. Minneriya is a great location to see wild elephants even outside the months of the gathering, and offers other species of flora and fauna as well.

Accommodation Options:

Heritance Kandalama Hotel – 5 Star

Green Paradise Hotel – 4 Star

Other accommodation options available (3 Star and above)

 

Days 5 and 6 – Kandy

Schedule:

Day 5 –

• Transfer to Kandy after Breakfast
• Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic in the afternoon
• Experience a cultural performance in the evening
• Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 6 –

• Full day relaxing at the hotel
• Overnight stay in Kandy

On Day 5, you will visit Sri Lanka’s Hill capital, Kandy, where more history and culture await you. The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is the most sacred site for Buddhists the world over, as this is where the most important object in the Buddhist world, a tooth fragment recovered from the funeral pyre of the Buddha, is located. The relic itself is kept in a golden casket amid heavy security in the Inner Chamber of the temple. The temple complex is adorned with paintings and sculptures depicting the life of the Buddha.

Kandy also offers the opportunity to see a few traditional Kandyan dances at one of the city’s cultural performance centres. A team of dancers, accompanied by drummers, will give you a spectacular display which will leave you mesmerised.

Day 6 is meant for relaxation at the hotel. You have the option of having a lovely stroll in town, and see the ever busy streets of Kandy, and perhaps shop for some souvenirs to take home with you.

Accommodation Options:

Cinnamon Citadel Hotel – 5 Stars

Earls Regent Hotel – 4 Stars

Comparable Accommodations available (3 Star and above)

  

Days 7 and 8 – Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains

Schedule:

Day 7 –

• Transfer to Nuwara Eliya after breakfast
• Visit Tea Plantation and Tea Factory
• Overnight Stay in Nuwara Eliya

Day 8 –

• Visit Horton Plains National Park after breakfast
• Nature walk in Horton Plains National Park
• Overnight Stay in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya, nicknamed “Little England” by locals, is a town that has a sub-temperate climate. As it is situated at a high altitude, the town is colder than anywhere else in Sri Lanka. The colonial-era buildings, the impressive golf course at the Royal Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (dating back to 1889), the beautiful parks and Gregory Lake give Nuwara Eliya a feel that is unique within Sri Lanka.

Tea Plantations are aplenty around Nuwara Eliya, as this area is famous for producing the world’s best tea. You will visit a tea planation and the tea factory attached to it, to see first‑hand how tea is processed from raw leaves to the final product.

The Horton Plains National Park is something special. Considered one of the world’s best nature reserves, it is an area of serene beauty and is known to have very high biodiversity. Sambur deer, spotted deer, giant squirrels, wild boar, and the rare Horton Plains slender loris – endemic to the national park, a small primate – call this area home. The grasslands are interspersed with montane forest, giving it a unique position among Sri Lanka’s National Parks. For the sake of conservation of the National Park and its many inhabitants, vehicles are strictly prohibited in the area, and the only way you can see this amazing national park is a guided nature walk. Unmissable sights in Horton Plains are Baker’s Falls, the Chimney Pool, and World’s End, a 3700ft (1130m) sheer drop providing fantastic views of the area below.

Accommodation Options:

Heritance Tea Factory Hotel – 5 Star

The Grand Hotel – 4 Star

Comparable Accommodations available (3 Star and above)

 

Day 9 – Udawalawe

Schedule:

• Transfer to Udawalawe after breakfast
• Evening Safari at Udawalawe National Park
• Overnight stay in Udawalawe

The Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. It is not uncommon to see a whole herd of elephants at a watering hole during your visit. An afternoon / evening safari tour will let you see elephants and many other animals, such as water buffalo, water monitor lizards, saltwater crocodiles, deer, monkeys, and even the occasional leopard. The park is also ideal for bird enthusiasts, as it is home to several hundred bird species.

Accommodation Options:

Mahoora Elite Camps – 4 Star

Grand Udawalawe Hotel – 4 Star

Kalu’s Hideaway Hotel – 2 Star

Big Game Camps

Other accommodation options available

Days 10 and 11 – Bundala and Yala

Schedule:

Day 10 –

• Transfer to Bundala after breakfast
• Visit Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home
• Evening Jeep Safari at Bundala National Park
• Transfer to Yala
• Overnight stay in Yala

Day 11 –

• Relax at hotel in the morning
• Evening Safari at Yala National Park
• Overnight stay in Yala

 

 

On Day 10, you get to visit the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, a unique establishment in Sri Lanka, where nearly 35 baby elephants are being taken care of, with minimal human intervention. These baby elephants have lost their mothers to natural causes, or due to the perpetual conflict between elephants and humans. Baby elephants are given all the care they need – food, medical attention, and shelter – until they are ready to be re-introduced into the wild to live a normal elephant life. Visitors can see these baby elephants playing with their friends, and being fed milk in elephant-sized portions.

Bundala National Park has been recognised as one of the most important sites for birds in Sri Lanka, with about 197 species documented. During the August to April period, the bird population might reach 20,000. Migratory waterfowl make up a big proportion of this. As this area is located in Sri Lanka’s dry zone, the vegetation is predominantly dry thorny scrubs that provide a natural wind barrier. All these conditions make Bundala come alive with birds and other animals.

The Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Made up of five areas – known as blocks – of which two are now open to the public. Situated in the south-eastern dry zone of Sri Lanka, it is famous as the best place in the world to see leopards in the wild. Wildlife Tours Sri Lanka promises the best leopard safari experience, as our experienced naturalists and guides will take you to the areas known for leopard activity. Leopards are nocturnal, so the best chance of seeing one in the wild is either at dawn or at dusk. This experience gives you an evening safari, enabling you to see leopards as they come out of their daytime slumber. Leopards may be the star attraction at Yala, but elephants, sloth bears, deer, jackals, wild boar, and a few hundred varieties of birds can be found throughout the national park.

Accommodation Options:

Cinnamon Wild Hotel – 5 Star

The Safari Hotel – 4 Star

Big Game Camps

Tree Houses

Comparable accommodation options available (3 Star or above)

 

Days 12 and 13 – Unawatuna, Galle, and Mirissa

Schedule:

Day 12 –

• Transfer to Galle or Unawatuna after breakfast
• Relax at the beach in the afternoon
• Overnight stay in Galle or Unawatuna

Day 13 –

• Whale and Dolphin watching tour from Mirissa in the morning
• Visit to Galle Fort
• Relax at the beach in the afternoon
• Overnight stay in Galle or Unawatuna

Situated in the heart of the Southern Province, Galle is the largest city, and for all purposes the capital, of the South of Sri Lanka. The main attractions in Galle include the 17^th Century Dutch Fort, a World Heritage Site with a culture and style all its own. Rustic houses and shops in the Dutch colonial style still exist within the Fort’s walls. Galle city itself is a bustling metropolis, and due to its location on the coast, is a major hub of fishing, transport, and culture in Sri Lanka.

In the afternoon to the evening hours, enjoy a relaxing time at one of the best beaches in the world. The calm waters of Unwatuna Bay and Thalpe offers you a chance to lie down and catch some sun, go for a long walk on a beautiful beach, or just dive in to the still waters. Unawatuna is great for diving and snorkelling.

Mirissa, a few kilometres from Galle, is the perfect place to get an organised whale and dolphin watching tour. Wildlife Tours Sri Lanka provides you the opportunity to see these marine mammals up close in their natural habitat. Several species of dolphin and whale inhabit these waters. Sri Lanka’s coast has the largest colony of blue whales anywhere in the world, and Mirissa gives you the opportunity to see these giants of the ocean.

Accommodation Options:

The Light House Hotel – 5 Star

Calamander Beach Hotel – 4 Star

Comparable accommodation options available (3 Star or above)

 

Day 14 – Colombo

Schedule:

• Transfer to Colombo after breakfast
• Colombo city and shopping tour
• Overnight stay in Colombo

The largest, busiest, and most populated in Sri Lanka, Colombo is a colourful city that grew from a small port town to being the most important centre for finance, trade, transport, education, and everything else in the country. A tour of Colombo city is a must, and shopping opportunities are aplenty – from street vendors to the more glitzy shopping malls – and bargains are to be had everywhere. Colombo city is a mix of colonial era and modern buildings, and rapid development over the past few years.

Accommodation Options:

Cinnamon Grand Hotel – 5 Star

Galle Face Hotel – 4 Star

Comparable accommodation options available (3 Star or above)

 

Day 15 – Airport

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for departure from Sri Lanka

 

 End of the Programme